We Tried Johnny Cash's Family Recipe for Pineapple Pie (2024)

Everybody loves their Mom's cooking—even celebrities. Johnny Cash was lucky enough to have a mother who made him this fabulous pineapple pie. Like southern iced tea, this sugary, fruity pie will make that sweet tooth sing.

Born in Memphis and raised in Mississippi, I often miss the Southern traditions and dishes like fried chicken, hush puppies, Mississippi mud pie, chicken and dumplings, and sweet tea—and now, pineapple pie! No matter where you’re from, one Southern thing tends to resonate with most everyone, and that’s the musical talent (and general coolness) of Mr. Johnny Cash.

When my daughter was just four, she knew all of the words to “Folsom Prison Blues,” which my husband and I treated as a prestigious parenting win. Maybe it wasn’t our best parenting moment, but I love exposing her to Southern traditions, like those that Reese Witherspoon touts (ICYMI: check out this recipe from her latest book). So, when given the opportunity to try Mama Cash’s pineapple pie recipe, I was in. Ready to see what happened?

We Tried Johnny Cash's Family Recipe for Pineapple Pie (1)Jennifer Schwarzkopf for Taste of Home

Johnny Cash’s Mama’s Pineapple Pie

  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (learn how to make your own!)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 unbaked pie shell

Initial Thoughts

After setting up my mise en place, I realized that this pineapple pie was going to be sweet. I mean sweeter than sweet! It might just pair nicely with a black cup of coffee for an afternoon tea time. I was concerned that the crushed pineapple juice might make the crust too wet, so I made a plan to hold back the bulk of the juice when mixing ingredients, watching the consistency closely, and adding as I mixed.

We Tried Johnny Cash's Family Recipe for Pineapple Pie (2)Jennifer Schwarzkopf for Taste of Home

The Filling

After softening the butter a bit, I beat all ingredients together in one large bowl. I used a stand mixer, however, you can use a hand mixer or whisk if you’re up for the arm workout. Once mixed well, I poured the ingredients into the empty, slightly defrosted pie crust. (Check out the instructions on your particular pie crust, if using a frozen, pre-made version.)

Baking

I then put the pie in the preheated oven at 350° and set the timer for 50 minutes. A bit concerned about the sugary goodness bubbling everywhere, I put an older sheet pan on the rack below and waited in anticipation as my home increasingly filled with the scent of sweet, tropical warmth. (And luckily, there was no bubble-over or mess to clean up.)

We Tried Johnny Cash's Family Recipe for Pineapple Pie (3)Jennifer Schwarzkopf for Taste of Home

The Outcome

After 50 minutes, the pie had a lovely golden brown hue around the outside of the filling and the pie was mostly set, with just a little jiggle in the middle. After cooling for a few minutes, the pie maintained its shape (in spite of adding most of the crushed pineapple juice).

Finally, it was time for a taste test. The pie was sweet (but not overly so), thick in body, and delicious. With a glass of milk or black coffee, the pie is just perfect as a little afternoon pick-me-up. Pretty in presentation and lovely in taste, I highly recommend this recipe from Johnny Cash’s own mother. Enjoy!

Up next: See more down-home foods Johnny Cash loved.

Get Your Southern Comfort Right Here

1 / 60

World's Best Lemon PieMother's pies were always so memorable, with tender, flaky crusts. In summer the order of the day was lemon meringue! —Phyllis Kirsling, Junction City, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Southern Black-Eyed PeasI find pork the secret to a good black-eyed pea recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow and gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Catfish ParmesanMississippi is the nation's largest producer of farm-raised catfish. My family loves this dish, and asks for it often. One reason I like it is it's so simple to prepare. —W.D. Baker, Starkville, Mississippi

Go to Recipe

Easy Pimiento CheeseEvery good Southerner has their own easy pimiento cheese recipe. It's wonderful on crackers, in a sandwich with a fresh summer tomato, inside a grilled cheese sandwich or plain with some crackers. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama

Go to Recipe

Down South Sweet Tea CakeI think this recipe combines two of the best and most famous ingredients from the South: sweet tea and pecans! Using a cake mix simplifies prep and helps ease the holiday time crunch. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

Tex-Mex Potato SaladI created this Tex-Mex potato salad for one of my cooking classes, and it was a hit. It's perfect for a cookout or potluck. The secret ingredient is pickled jalapenos—they add so much interest and flavor! Add a can of black beans for more protein. —Dianna Ackerley, Cibolo, Texas

Go to Recipe

TMB Studio

Southern Okra Bean StewWhen this spicy stew's simmering on the stove, my family has a hard time waiting for dinner. It's much like a thick tomato-based soup with a hearty mix of okra, brown rice and beans. Everyone leaves the table feeling satisfied—and eager to have it again soon. —Beverly McDowell, Athens, Georgia

Go to Recipe

Green Tomato SalsaI came up with this green tomato salsa so I could use up all the fresh tomatoes from my garden. —Vanessa Moon, Tucson, Arizona

Go to Recipe

Southern Hoppin' JohnThis is a quick and easy side dish that will become a favorite of your family.—Anne Creech, Kinston, North Carolina

Go to Recipe

Southern Sweet Potato PieThis Mississippi sweet potato pie is very popular in the South. It's a particular favorite at our house because we always have plenty of sweet potatoes in our garden. Try it with a dollop of whipped cream. —Bonnie Holcomb, Fulton, Mississippi

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Mini Hot BrownsHere's my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky

Go to Recipe

Southern Shrimp and GritsA southern specialty, sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this shrimp and grits recipe tastes fantastic for brunch or dinner, or anytime company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

Homemade Buttermilk BiscuitsThe recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina

Go to Recipe

I've always loved beignets, but never thought I could make them myself. Turns out they're easy! Sometimes I'll even make a quick berry whipped cream and pipe it inside for a fun surprise. —Kathi Hemmer, Grand Junction, Colorado

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Southern Potato SaladThis potato salad with a Southern twist is perfect for a church supper or potluck. The pickles add an extra sweetness. —Gene Pitts, Wilsonville, Alabama

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Southern Seafood GumboI tasted a similar dish at a local restaurant and later duplicated it pretty closely. I trimmed it down a bit and no one in my family seemed to mind. —Susan Wright, Champaign, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Southern Lane CakeI just love this southern-style dessert, and so do dinner guests. With pecans, cherries and raisins in the filling and topping, this version reminds me of a fruitcake—only so much better! —Mabel Parvi, Ridgefield, Washington

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Cajun Shrimp SkilletThere’s plenty of sauce with these shrimp—I always have some bread on the side to soak it up. Make the dish your own by using your favorite amber beer or flavorful broth. —Mark Oppe, North Pole, Alaska

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Southern Fried BLTI’m really not big on tomatoes—but I do like them green and fried, so I decided to try them in a sandwich. It was a smash! If you’ve gotta have cheese, add sharp cheddar to this indulgent twist on the traditional BLT. —Stacy King, Rome, Georgia

Go to Recipe

The Best Pecan PiePecan pie is a Thanksgiving tradition in my house, and I was on a quest to create the ultimate version. This might be it!—James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

Go to Recipe

Shredded Barbecue Chicken over GritsThere’s nothing like juicy meat served over creamy grits. And the pumpkin in these grits makes them taste like a spicy, comforting bowl of fall flavors. Your family will come running to the table for this one. —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah

Go to Recipe

Buttermilk Pound CakeNow that I've retired from teaching, I have more time to bake. This buttermilk pound cake is the one I make most often. It is a truly southern recipe, and one I think can't be topped—once people taste it, they won't go back to their other recipes with buttermilk. —Gracie Hanchey, De Ridder, Louisiana

Go to Recipe

Southern Fried Chicken with GravyFried chicken may have been perfected in the South, but it is loved everywhere! Seasonings add a little something extra to this recipe, as does a rich gravy. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Editor's Tip: Ever tried the popular southern dish fried chicken and waffles? Here's why it belongs on your breakfast menu.

Chocolate Pecan TorteThis impressive dessert looks lovely on a buffet table. It takes some time to prepare, but it’s worth the effort. —Lois Schlickau, Haven, Kansas

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Slow-Cooked Pork BarbecueYou need only five ingredients to fix this sweet and tender pork for sandwiches. Feel free to adjust the sauce ingredients to suit your family's tastes. —Connie Johnson, Springfield, Missouri

Go to Recipe

Corn PuddingCornbread mix and canned corn make this southern corn pudding casserole a snap to prepare. Now, this is real comfort food! —P. Lauren Fay-Neri, Syracuse, New York

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Biscuits and Sausage GravyThis biscuits and sausage gravy is an old southern recipe that I've adapted. Homemade sausage gravy is a classic, hearty breakfast that takes you on a trip to the South every time it's served. —Sue Baker, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Go to Recipe

Lasagna RollsMy Italian lasagna roll-ups are not complicated; they require only basic ingredients to assemble. Prepared spaghetti sauce helps me save time and get dinner on the table sooner. —Mary Lee Thomas, Logansport, Indiana

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Bread Pudding with Bourbon SauceThere's nothing better than this comforting bread pudding recipe on a cold, wintry day. The bourbon sauce makes the dessert taste special, but it's so easy to prepare—the slow cooker does most of the work! —Hope Johnson, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Gulf Coast Jambalaya RiceAs the stew of the South, jambalaya is a definite staple. For ages, home cooks have been making their own tweaks on the traditional recipe. This rendition is my favorite. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Go to Recipe

Sausage JohnnycakeHere’s a nice hearty breakfast with plenty of old-fashioned flavor. I serve it to my bed-and-breakfast guests. They love the cake’s savory middle and maple syrup topping. It’s a fine way to start the day! —Lorraine Guyn, Calgary, Alberta

Go to Recipe

Southern Pimiento Cheese SpreadA classic southern comfort food, this spread is used as an appetizer with crackers, corn chips or celery. It is also smeared between two slices of white bread for sandwiches and as a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs. —Eileen Balmer, South Bend, Indiana.

Go to Recipe

TMB studio

Bourbon SlushAt our holiday parties, Bourbon Slush is definitely a favorite. Have fun experimenting with different teas when you make it. We like black tea, green tea and orange spice. —Darcene Sigler, Louisville, Ohio

Go to Recipe

Seasoned Crab CakesAt the National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, Maryland, these scrumptious crab cakes won me first place. I entered them on a whim after trying many crab cake recipes for my family. —Betsy Hedeman, Timonium, Maryland

Go to Recipe

Homemade chicken and dumplings from scratch harken back to my childhood and chilly days when we devoured those cute little balls of dough swimming in hot, rich broth. It's one of those types of soup you'll want to eat again and again. —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, Arizona

Go to Recipe

Grandma's Southern Collard GreensMy grandmother made the best southern collard greens recipe in the world. Eating them with a slice of buttermilk cornbread is pure bliss. —Sherri Williams, Crestview, Florida

Go to Recipe

Grits PieSimple, southern and scrumptious, this pie will be a definite hit even with people who dislike grits. It has the perfect custardy texture.—Victoria Hudson, Pickens, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

Banana PuddingI didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia

Go to Recipe

I also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Sweet Tea Barbecued ChickenMarinades sometimes use coffee or espresso, and that inspired me to try tea and apple juice to perk up this sauce. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey

Go to Recipe

As a child, I learned from my grandmother how to make these chicken-fried steaks. I taught my daughters, and when my granddaughters are older, I’ll show them, too. —Donna Cater, Fort Ann, New York

Go to Recipe

Cheddar Corn BiscuitsSkip standard bake-and-serve dinner rolls this year and try my fast-to-fix biscuits studded with cheddar and corn. It's almost impossible to resist eating one right from the oven! —Susan Braun, Swift Current, Saskatchewan

Go to Recipe

Iva's Peach CobblerMy mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Shrimp and grits are a house favorite—if only we could agree on a recipe. I stirred things up with cheddar and Cajun seasoning to find a winner. —Charlotte Price, Raleigh, North Carolina

Go to Recipe

TMB Studio

Roasted Fresh OkraIf you have picky eaters who worry about texture, roasted okra is marvelous. It's OK to crowd the pan. Okra shrinks as it cooks. —Anna Katsoulis, Greenville, North Carolina

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Red Beans and SausageTurkey sausage, beans and a zesty blend of spices make this a deliciously unique meal.—Cathy Webster, Morris, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Cajun Boil on the GrillI came up with these everything-in-one seafood packets for a family reunion, since the recipe can be increased to feed a bunch. The foil steams up inside, so open carefully. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, Colorado

Go to Recipe

Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down CakeFor a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Creole JambalayaJambalaya is a traditional Louisiana dish, coming from our Spanish and French culture. Rice is the main ingredient, with different meats or seafood mixed in. I particularly like this variation with shrimp and ham. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Southern Loaded Sweet PotatoesFor a taste of a southern classic, we make sweet potatoes stuffed with pulled pork and coleslaw and manage to sidestep the calorie overload. —Amy Burton, Cary, North Carolina

Go to Recipe

Quick Buttermilk CornbreadThe tattered recipe card for this buttermilk cornbread proves it's been a family favorite for years. It's my daughter's top request. —Judy Sellgren, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Carolina Crab BoilThis pot is a fun way to feed a crowd for a tailgate. You can serve it two ways: Drain the cooking liquid and pour out the pot on a paper-lined table so folks can dig in, or serve it as a stew in its liquid over hot rice. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia

Go to Recipe

Marina’s Golden Corn FrittersJust one bite of these fritters takes me back to when my kids were young. Nowadays for our get-togethers, I sometimes triple the recipe. Serve fritters with maple syrup or agave nectar. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California

Go to Recipe

Raisin Pecan PieI remember my Grandmother Voltie and Great-Aunt Ophelia making this southern-style pie for Thanksgiving. It was always one of the many cakes and pies lined up for dessert. —Angie Price, Bradford, Tennessee

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Southern Fried ChickenThis recipe was a happy accident, reveals Patricia Gowen of Amherst, Virginia. "I discovered at the last minute that I didn't have enough all-purpose flour for coating the chicken, so I used pancake mix instead," she smiles. "It did taste different—but everyone at our house liked it."

Go to Recipe

Key Lime CupcakesI made these light, tangy cupcakes on a chilly day to remind me of our vacation in southern Florida, where Key lime pies are star attractions. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Country Chicken and GravyHere's a lightened-up take on the classic southern comfort-food dish: chicken and gravy. This recipe has been a hit at our house since the first time we tried it! —Ruth Helmuth, Abbeville, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Bananas Foster SundaesI have wonderful memories of eating bananas Foster in New Orleans, and as a dietitian, wanted to find a healthier version. I combined the best of two recipes and added my own tweaks to create this southern treat. —Lisa Varner, Charleston, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

Sweet Potato CrispMy not-too-sweet potato crisp features a wonderful buttery crumb topping. This is a welcome change from candied sweet potatoes.—Kathy Hamsher, Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Creole CornbreadCornbread is a staple of Cajun and Creole cuisine. This version is an old favorite, and it really tastes wonderful. I found the recipe in the bottom of my recipe drawer. —Enid Hebert, Lafayette, Louisiana

Go to Recipe

We Tried Johnny Cash's Family Recipe for Pineapple Pie (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 5853

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.